seek

verb

sought ˈsȯt How to pronounce seek (audio) ; seeking

transitive verb

1
: to resort to : go to
2
a
: to go in search of : look for
b
: to try to discover
3
: to ask for : request
seeks advice
4
: to try to acquire or gain : aim at
seek fame
5
: to make an attempt : try
used with to and an infinitive
governments … seek to keep the bulk of their people contentedD. M. Potter

intransitive verb

1
: to make a search or inquiry
2
a
: to be sought
b
: to be lacking
in critical judgment … they were sadly to seekThe Times Literary Supplement (London)
seeker noun

Examples of seek in a Sentence

The office is seeking a salesperson. The prince is seeking a wife. Snakes seek the sun to warm their bodies. You should visit your doctor and seek his advice. You should seek medical help immediately if you experience any chest pain or shortness of breath. The church is seeking donations. He sought revenge for his son's murder. During the war, she sought asylum in Spain. They sought refuge in Canada. The company is seeking new ways to improve service.
Recent Examples on the Web Aside from government and media, de Matteo is highly suspicious of corporations and big money — which plays a part in her reluctance to seek a Hollywood comeback even if her vaccination status were no longer an obstacle. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 That would have allowed his staff not retained by new UCLA coach DeShaun Foster to seek other jobs when there were far more openings than there are on the eve of spring practice. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 A Day of Unreasonable Conversation, put on by social impact agency Propper Daley, seeks to bring together people with different life experiences and viewpoints to share their stories with TV industry leaders, who hold the power to shape global conversations through their projects. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 New Braunfels, Texas Those seeking a slower pace in the Texas Hill Country have flocked to New Braunfels, which wears its natural wonders and German influences proudly. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 The Bee sought comment from three people who have opposed Pan on vaccine legislation, but none responded. Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 The water authority embarked on a program to unload some of that surplus with the dual aim of modifying, if not rolling back, rate increases, while seeking a more creative approach to the water world in the West that has been bound by arcane law and more than a century of tradition. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 In today’s complex investment landscape, discerning investors seek stability and lucrative returns. Danny Kattan, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Authorities are still seeking the person who fatally shot a motorist on Loop 202 in Mesa. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seek.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English seken, from Old English sēcan; akin to Old High German suohhen to seek, Latin sagus prophetic, Greek hēgeisthai to lead

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of seek was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near seek

Cite this Entry

“Seek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seek. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

seek

verb
sought ˈsȯt How to pronounce seek (audio) ; seeking
1
: to go to
seek the shade on a sunny day
2
a
: to go in search of : look for
seek out the guilty person
b
: to try to discover
seek the truth
3
: to ask for : request
seeks advice
4
: to try to acquire or gain : aim at
seeking public office
5
: to make an attempt : try
seek to find a way
sought to improve my work
seeker noun

More from Merriam-Webster on seek

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